ROL
Health and nutrition are the most essential determinants for an optimal human development and good nutrition is the vital unit for maintenance of positive health. It is noticed that a proper diet is needed from the early stages of life for growth, development and for an active life. The initial period of life between 1 – 3 years is crucial for brain development and which can be very well hindered by malnutrition. It is also seen to have a negative impact on the economic growth and later affects the overall productivity of the individual. Furthermore, malnutrition leads to morbidity and mortality in 0-6 year’s age group which thereby leads increased healthcare expenditure and disease burden. (Prathiba 2014)
India is the 2nd most populous
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Among the adolescent girls aged 10-19 years, 27% are severely anaemic and 49% are moderately anaemic (NFHS- 3). Almost 56% of adolescent girls (aged 15-19 years) suffer from some form of anaemia, of these 39% are mildly anaemic, while 15% and 2% suffer from moderate and severe anaemia. Nearly 50% of Indian adolescent girls in the age group of 15-19 are underweight, with a BMI of less than 18.5 (UNICEF -2012). It has been noticed that compared to adolescent boys, adolescent girls have lower levels of nutrition, poorer access to adequate, healthy food and requisite healthcare, and greater financial dependence on the family (Bal Sansar Sanstha (BSS), 2012)
Nutritional status of women:
The mean BMI for women aged between 15-49 in India is 20.5. More than one-third (36 percent) of women have a BMI below 18.5, indicating a high prevalence of nutritional deficiency. On the other hand, 13% of women are overweight or obese. With the percentage of ever-married women aged 15-49 who are overweight or obese increasing from 11 percent in NFHS-2 to 15 percent in NFHS-3, it has been noticed to be an increasing problem. Thus, it is evident that nearly half of the Indian women in the age group of 15- 49 years are either too thin or over weight i.e. dual burden of malnutrition (NFHS-3, nutrition and anaemia).
Millennium development goals - Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and